"glowing coal, burning ember"
Origin: Old English/Norse
Language: English
Ember
Pronunciation: [ EHMB-er ]
Does Ember flow with your last name?
The quiet power of a glowing ember
American
English
Germanic
Earthy
Bold
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Strong
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"spark, smoldering fire"
Origin: Germanic
Language: Germanic
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Things to Know About This Name
- Primarily associated as a feminine name in recent years, which may lead to some confusion when used for boys
The Story of Ember
Ember as a name comes directly from the English word ember, referring to a glowing piece of coal or wood in a dying fire. The word itself traces to Old Norse and Old English roots related to ash and heat. While ember as a given name is more commonly associated with girls in the US, using it for boys taps into the rich tradition of nature and element names for males — fire has always been a masculine symbol of warmth, power, and transformation.
Ember has risen dramatically as a girl's name in the 2010s and 2020s, but parents seeking a distinctive nature name for boys have also embraced it, particularly in families drawn to fire and element-themed names like Ash, Blaze, and Phoenix.
Fire names carry deep archetypal significance across cultures — fire represents life, transformation, protection, and the spark of civilization. An Ember boy carries the quiet power of a persistent flame rather than a roaring blaze.
Historical Record
Ember first appeared in US Social Security records in 2005.
Over 389 babies have been named Ember in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ember is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #3,159 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ember entered the US top 1000 baby names for girls in 2013 and has risen steadily since
- The term ember days refers to ancient Christian fasting days at the change of seasons, adding liturgical heritage to the name
Ember in Other Languages
Norse
Eimyrja
French
Ember
German
Ember
English
Ember
Spanish
Ember
Popularity Over Time
#3,159
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,159
- Total SSA Count
- 38
- Cultural Origins
- American English Germanic
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Em
Emb
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ember
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Ember is also used as a girl name, ranked #137.
View Ember as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ember
What does the name Ember mean?
"glowing coal, burning ember" (from Old English/Norse). "spark, smoldering fire" (from Germanic). Ember as a name comes directly from the English word ember, referring to a glowing piece of coal or wood in a dying fire. The word itself traces to Old Norse and Old English roots related to ash and heat. While ember as a given name is more commonly associated with girls in the US, using it for boys taps into the rich tradition of nature and element names for males — fire has always been a masculine symbol of warmth, power, and transformation.
What is the origin of the name Ember?
Ember has Old English/Norse, Germanic, American, and English origins. In Old English/Norse, it means "glowing coal, burning ember". In Germanic, it means "spark, smoldering fire".
Is Ember a boy or girl name?
Ember is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3159. As a girl name, it is ranked #137. Ember is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ember?
Ember is pronounced EHMB-er.
How popular is the name Ember?
Ember is currently ranked #3159 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ember?
Common nicknames for Ember include Emb.
What are good middle names for Ember?
Popular middle name pairings include Ember James, Ember Cole, Ember Fox, Ember River, Ember Wyatt, and Ember Stone.
What are good sibling names for Ember?
Names that pair well with Ember as siblings include Ash, Blaze, Phoenix, Flint, Sage, and Cinder.
How many syllables does Ember have?
Ember has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ember a common or rare name?
Ember is an uncommon name, ranked #3159 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Ember
Ember is a boy name with American, English, and Germanic origins . The name means "glowing coal, burning ember" in Old English/Norse .
Is Ember a boy or girl name? Ember is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,159 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #137. Ember is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ember is currently ranked #3,159 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ember has 2 syllables and is pronounced EHMB-er, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ember include Em and Emb. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis